Hello, first time in SA for us and we would like some suggestions on njce places to stay, a friend mentioned Frenchhoek ? Also, I like to rent a car and some visiting ideas now that covid is around. We are done with safari, so some nice scenery, food and wine is perfect. Table mountain hike is on the wifes agenda, but I have a slight limp so walking one way is enough for me and then cable car back.
How long will you have in and around Cape Town? November is a lovely time of year, spring into early summer, warm and sunny. There is lots of really stunning scenery from mountains to rugged beaches, fynbos and forests, in the area within day trips of the city centre or for a road-trip into the Western Cape.
Do note the quickest walk up TM (Platteklip Gorge) is literally rock steps all the way up, so consider taking walking poles if you have them. I would always recommend a full day around the Cape Peninsula to Cape of Good Hope for the scenery, but you can spend longer in locations there and back, particularly if you are into food and wines and/or photography. I think a visit to penguins is a must but I am focused on wildlife. There is also Kirstenbosch gardens for scenery and views nestled into the limestone with a canopy bridge walk, as well as the flowers and wildlife.
This forum has a lot of info about food and wines if you search.
e.g. favourite restaurants:
e.g. wineries to visit / stay:
There are wine farm stays for all budgets btw, especially if you are willing to self cater. And nature reserves with hiking in the mountains in much of the winelands areas, or picnic in the winery gardens. There are winelands further afield from the well-known Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, from Somerset West, Elgin, Hemel en Aarde in the south and east to Wellington and others further north. But Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are definitely geared towards excellent food and Franschhoek has the benefit of the wine tram, so every adult in your party can have a drink.
Edited: 2 years agoFor an easy walk on Table Mountain, you can take the Cable Car both ways and hike to Maclear's Beacon, it is surprisingly quiet.
Many tx for this input, we stay for two weeks, so any ideas on where to stay in frenchoek and suggested car excursions are appreciated. What about corona restrictions in and around CPT ? I will also take a rental car.
Current SA restrictions
https://www.enca.com/news/summary-south-africa-moves-adjusted-alert-level-3
Recent trip report
No one knows what the restrictions will be in Nov.
Edited: 2 years agoAccommodation in Franschhoek: sjr provided a number of suggestions in reply #1.
Table Mountain hike is no joke. It's like being on a stair master for 2 hours. My family and I did it last week via Platteklip Gorge route. I am of average fitness, and I found it difficult. No technical climbing involved, but it is a continuous vertical ascent on rocks and steps. Carry plenty of water, and plan accordingly. We took the cable car down. Lions Head is an easier and much more scenic hike- gorgeous 360 degree views of Cape Town, including Table mountain, 12 Apostles and the entire city below you. Don't miss it.
Many thx for this input and I will check the proposals received, as for TM, sounds like a roundtrip in the cablecar then. Now we just hope that life in CPT will return to more normal ways. In France at the moment and we see a lot of frustration with mask requirements, medical certification to dine out etc.
Doing Table Mountain by cable car but walking up Lion's Head would be a good plan (if you want to avoid the first chain ladder you keep walking around and you go up rocky stepped bits instead, there are two short ladders but with reasonable mobility and taking your time, it is doable). A few days in the city and some time in the winelands is a great mixture and I am sure you'll have a great time. But do expect you'll probably need to wear a mask in public places (the vaccination rate in SA I am not sure when this will change), but you are ok once sitting in a restaurant or wine tasting to take it off.
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